Memorial photographs?

[character]

I was wondering about the photographs of the deceased used for funerals (and sometimes in homes and on gravestones). Do people get their picture taken every few years to be sure to have a recent photograph for this purpose? What are the customs/norms for this picture? Searching, I found a lot about Chinese funerals, but not about this practice.

[skylee]

I don't know. I don't even know how my folks picked my father's photo used in his funeral. It was not a very recent photo. I don't think people usually take photo regularly to prepare for their own funerals.

Having said this, have you seen the Korean movie Christmas in August? It is a good film, and in it there are two people have their own photos taken to prepare for their own funerals, IIRC.

[johnk]

In Ireland there is a tradition of giving memorial cards when someone dies. The cards usually have a picture of the deceased.

My father's memorial card picture was chosen by my sister and shows him more of less as he was just before he died.

When my uncle died, my aunt, his sister chose a photo him as a young man for his memorial card. I guess she wanted him remembered as he was in his twenties.

I don't think there are any rules about it per se. It is just how the next of kin want someone to be remembered. I would imagine it is the same in China.

[character]

Thanks for your responses. I guess my perception of the memorial picture custom was warped by seeing it in HK movies and TV shows, where conveniently there's always a recent picture of the deceased.

@skylee, I did see the wonderful Christmas in August years ago; recommended viewing for anyone who's not seen it. In in those two characters knew they were near the end of their lives, so I didn't consider them as good examples of always having a recent picture 'just in case'.